SBIR program helps small firms with research and development funding

If you have visions of the federal government providing you with research and development funding, the SBIR program may provide a partial funding solution. Through the years, I have heard of some interesting programs started with a few of our government dollars.

Ever since President Harry Truman investigated major fraud in World War II, the government has seen the need for small business funding and research. Without the levels of management that other bigger government programs need, the SBIR allows a researcher with a vision to try to win a federal grant.

The beauty of small business research is that it could generate some truly innovative solutions to a government problem. Fred Patterson, one of the speakers slated to speak Thursday at the Central Texas Funding Forum, is known as the SBIR coach.

He has helped his clients win over 100 SBIR awards in a 15-year period. Having worked with several San Antonio firms on this program, I can tell you that with an expected 10-percent to 15-percent funding rate, that getting 100 SBIR grants is as impressive as Kyle Busch winning 50 NASCAR races. The success rate for most SBIR grants is that for every 100 submitted, only 10 or 15 get the initial funding of $100,000.

“The key is preparing a well-articulated response to an agency’s Request For Proposal. The agency provides the topic area and sometimes detailed project specifications. It is up to you to propose an approach and methodology for solving the problem, verifying feasibility in Phase I and providing proof of a promising concept in Phase II,” notes Patterson in a recent online interview that will appear in the Austin Startup blog this week.

If you are considering the SBIR program, you should read Patterson’s interview available at this special landing page. Or, you can head to Austin on Thursday to hear his presentation at the funding forum at the Norris Conference Center. The cost is $105 if you mention my name at the door.

(Note: I am the publicist for the Central Texas Funding Forum. While it’s my job to promote this event, I also thought that Mr. Patterson’s excellent interview would be of interest to technical entrepreneurs who wanted to get some insight into the SBIR process.)